Metallic-molding-material runner having equilibrated flow

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a metallic-molding-material runner system that includes a collection of branches. The collection of branches is configured to substantially equilibrate flow of a metallic-molding material from a molding system into a mold.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to, but is not limited to,molding systems, and more specifically the present invention relates tometallic-molding-material runner systems and/or to molding systemshaving metallic-molding-material runner systems and/or to methods ofmetallic-molding-material runner systems, each of which equilibrate flowof a metallic-molding material from a molding system into a mold.

BACKGROUND

Molding systems, such as the Thixosystem manufactured by Husky InjectionMolding Systems Limited, are used for molding parts made from ametallic-molding material, such as (but limited to) magnesium, aluminum,and/or zinc, (or alloys thereof), etc. Some molds define a complicatedmold cavity that may be difficult to fill with the metallic-moldingmaterial because the metallic-molding material needs to be handled at avery hot operating temperature (such as, 1075 degrees Fahrenheit or 580degrees Centigrade) and then it needs to be cooled down to a temperaturethat is significantly lower than the operating temperature.

A critical issue with filling the mold with the metallic-moldingmaterial is whether there is sufficient “pack-out” pressure applied tothe metallic-molding material to pack out the mold. The pack-out problemusually leads to defects in a molded part, such as shrinkage-porositydefects and/or flow defects. For example, magnesium experiences areduction of approximately 10% in volume when the magnesium changes froma molten state to a solid state. To overcome this difficulty, asufficient pack-out pressure must be applied to the metallic-moldingmaterial after the mold is filled. However, molds usually havecomplicated geometries and it is very difficult to ensure pack out ofthe mold. If a first section of the mold becomes filled before a secondsection of the mold is filled, the first section will become packed outunder a significantly lower pressure because the second section has notyet been filled. The first section will shrink significantly and willhave a lower density in comparison to the second section because thesecond section will experience a pack out pressure that was notexperienced by the first section.

The following is a summary of potential art that does not appear toprovide a solution to the above-mentioned problem of packing out moldswith a metallic-molding material. Resin-based molding materials are notanalogous to metallic-molding materials because metallic-moldingmaterials (i) have a low heat capacity such that heat flows quickly fromthe metallic-molding material over to molding-system components, whilein sharp contrast, resin-based molding materials have a high heatcapacity such that heat flows slowly from the resin-based moldingmaterial over to molding-system components, and (ii) metallic-moldingmaterials are melted at significantly higher temperatures in sharpcontrast to the temperatures at which resin-based molding materials aremelted.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,855 (Inventor: Betters et al; Published: Jun. 9,1998) discloses molding of large components for use in automotivebumpers by using a sequential fill valve gated injection molding systemoperative on plastic-resin-based molding material.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,383 (Inventor: Smith et al; Published: Apr. 5, 2005)discloses injection molding of a molten material by sequentiallyinjecting the molten material into mold cavities at a rate to fill andpack the cavities with the molten material, and then holding the moltenmaterial in the mold cavities. The methods and devices appear to beeffective to reduce the clamping force needed to clamp multiple cavitymolds.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,767 (Inventor: Tarr et al; Published: Aug. 8, 2000)discloses an injection mold bushing having central passageway forshut-off gate pin and separate passageway for injecting molten plastic.The wear bushing is positioned at the outlet end of the mold bushing toprotect it from wear from the molten plastic and to direct the plasticthrough a tip orifice.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,486 (Inventor: Doughty et al; Published: Jul. 27,2004) discloses an injection molding system that includes a controllerto control rate of material flow through first runner independently ofsecond runner.

The following references appear to be applicable to systems andcomponents for molding metallic-molding materials, but they appear tonot resolve the problem of pack out of metallic molding material held ina mold.

PCT Patent No. WO 2004/078383 A1 (Inventor: Manda; Published: Sep. 16,2004; Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Limited, Canada)discloses a sprue apparatus for injection molding or die-castingmachine. The sprue apparatus has a nozzle connection interface, a meltduct, a mold-connection interface, and thermal regulators for regulatingthermal zones that segment length of the sprue apparatus.

European Patent No. 1,101,550 A1 (Inventor: Massano et al; Published:May 23, 2001; Assignee: Plasthing Services S.r.l., Italy) discloses amold for injection molding of e.g. magnesium, magnesium alloy. The moldhas electrical resistors arranged for heating feed socket, distributionplate, injectors and spacer elements.

PCT Patent No. WO 2005/110704 A1 (Inventor: Manda et al; Published:Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Limited, Canada) discloses amolding-machine-melt-conduit coupler useful in a runner system and in aninjection-molding machine. The coupler includes coupling structurehaving surface coupling with two melt conduits and cooling structure toprovide coolant to coupling structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,669 (Inventor: Suzuki et al; Published: Sep. 6,2005; Assignee: Denso Corporation, Japan) discloses injection molding ofmetal products that involves heating tip of hot runner, sprayinglubricant onto molding surface and metering material, simultaneouslybetween mold clamping and pressurizing processes.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,021 (Inventor: Shibata et al; Published: Mar. 18,2003; Assignee: Ju-Oh Inc., Japan) discloses a metal mold of hot runnertype injection molding machine and method of manufacturing the metalmold.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided ametallic-molding-material runner system, including a collection ofbranches configured to substantially equilibrate flow of ametallic-molding material from a molding system into a mold.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a moldingsystem, including a metallic-molding-material runner system, including acollection of branches configured to substantially equilibrate flow of ametallic-molding material from the molding system into a mold.

In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methodof a metallic-molding-material runner system including substantiallyequilibrating flow of a metallic-molding material through a collectionof branches from a molding system into a mold.

A technical effect of the above aspects is that pack-out problems and/orshrinkage-porosity defects and/or flow defects may be mitigated at leastin part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

A better understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention (including alternatives and/or variations thereof) may beobtained with reference to the detailed description of the exemplaryembodiments along with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view a metallic-molding-material runnersystem according to a first embodiment; and

FIGS. 2A, 2B are a cross-sectional views of a metallic-molding-materialrunner system according to a second exemplary embodiment.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and are sometimes illustratedby phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. Incertain instances, details that are not necessary for an understandingof the embodiments or that render other details difficult to perceivemay have been omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view a metallic-molding-material runnersystem 100 (hereafter referred to as the “runner” 100) according to thefirst exemplary embodiment, which is the preferred embodiment or thebest mode. The runner 100 is depicted as primed and ready to fill ametallic-molding material 102 (hereafter referred to as the “material”102) into a mold cavity 113 of a mold 112. Preferably, the material 102includes a metallic component and does not substantially include aresin-based, plastic component.

Advantageously, the runner 100 is arranged so that collection ofbranches 110A, 110B, 110C is configured to equilibrate flow of themetallic-molding material 102 adjustably in situ, and the technicaleffect is that the runner 100 may be adjusted on the fly to suitsituational conditions as parts are molded, and the runner 100 may beadapted or modified or adjusted (with less effort) for use withdifferently-shaped molds.

Briefly, the runner 100 includes a collection of branches 110A, 110B,110C that is configured to substantially equilibrate flow of thematerial 102 from a molding system 108 into a mold 112. Preferably, thecollection of branches 110A, 110B, 110C is configured to equilibrateflow of the material 102 so that the mold 112 may become substantiallyevenly filled with the material 102 (in a substantially balanced manner)prior to an application of a pack-out pressure onto to the material 102received in the mold 112, so that once the pack-out pressure is appliedthe molding material 102 held in the mold 112 may be substantiallypacked-out in a substantially balanced way so as to reduceshrinkage-porosity defects and/or flow defects at least in part. Atechnical effect of the runner 100 is that pack-out problems and/orshrinkage-porosity defects and/or flow defects may be mitigated at leastin part.

Preferably, the collection of branches 110A, 110B, 110C is configured tochronologically convey and/or release the material 102 from the moldingsystem 108 into the mold 112. The runner system 100 includes a conduitassembly 104. The conduit assembly 104 defines an input 106 that isconfigured to receive the material 102 from the molding system 108(preferably from a machine nozzle 109 of the molding system 108). Theconduit assembly 104 also includes the collection of branches 110A,110B, 110C that are each configured to pass the material 102 from theinput 106 over to outputs 111A, 111B, 111C respectively. The outputs111A, 111B, 111C are configured to chronologically convey the material102 from the branches 110A, 110B, 110C into the mold 112 (preferably viamold gates or entrances of the mold 112). Preferably, the outputs 111A,111B, 111C chronologically convey the material 102 according to achronological-release sequence.

Many combinations and permutations of actuating the outputs 111A, 111B,111C according to the chronological-release sequence are contemplated(and many others are possible). According to a first example of achronological-release sequence, the outputs 111A, 111B, 111Cchronologically release the material 102 serially one output afteranother, such as the following chronological-release sequence thatincludes the following stages:

Stage 1: initially the output 111A is actuated to release the material102 into a first section of the mold 112 while the outputs 111B, 111Cwithhold release of the material 102 into the mold 112;

Stage 2: after a time delay, the output 111B is actuated to release thematerial 102 into a second section of the mold 112 (while the output111A continues unobstructed release of the material 102 into the mold112), and the output 111C continues withholding release of the material102 into the mold 112; and

Stage 3: after another time delay, the output 112C is actuated torelease the material 102 into a third section of the mold 112 while theoutputs 111A, 111B continue unobstructed release of the material 102into the mold 112. It will be appreciated that flow through the outputs111A, 111B may (eventually) stop because of the geometry of a specificmold before the flow through the output 111C stops and before the moldcavity 113 becoming entirely filled. For example, the first section ofthe mold 112 has a thickness that is larger than the thickness of thesecond section of the mold 112, and the second section of the mold 112has a thickness that is larger than the thickness of the third sectionof the mold 112.

According to a second example, the following chronological-releasesequence includes the following stages:

Stage 1: the output 111C releases the material 102 into the mold 112;and

Stage 2: after a time delay, both outputs 111A, 111B release thematerial 102 at the same time into the mold 112 while output 111Ccontinues unobstructed release of the material 102 into the mold 112.

A chronological-release is an arrangement in order of time ofoccurrence. It would be within the scope of the meaning of“chronological-release” to include sequentially releasing of one thingafter another (as in a succession).

According to a variant, the conduit assembly 104 includes two outputs.According to another variant, the conduit assembly 104 includes morethan three outputs.

Preferably the outputs 111A, 111B, 111C are configured to form plugs114A, 114B, 114C respectively in the outputs 111A, 111B, 111C.Preferably, the outputs 111A, 111B, 111C cooperate with respectiveplug-managing mechanisms 116A, 116B, 116C respectively. The plugs 114A,114B, 114C may be formable in their respective outputs 111A, 111B, 111Cby using plug-managing mechanisms 116A, 116B, 116C respectively.Operation of the plug-managing mechanisms 116A, 116B, 116C is well knownin the molding art and therefore this operation will not be described indetail here. The plugs 114A, 114B, 114C are configured tochronologically release from their respective outputs 111A, 111B, 111Cso that the material 102 is released chronologically into the mold 112.Preferably, the plugs 114A, 114B, 114C blow out from their respectiveoutputs responsive to a blow-out pressure that is imposed onto thematerial 102. The blow-out pressure is usually exerted by the moldingsystem 108 as known in the molding art and therefore the process forbuilding up the blow-out pressure is not described here.

For example, the plug-managing mechanism 116C forms the plug 114C (by acooling process) in the output 111C that is more solid than the plug114A formed in the output 111A by the pug-forming mechanism 116A. Thismeans that the plug 114A will release before the plug 110C will release.Once the plug 114A is released, a heater positioned at the output 111Cis energized to heat up the plug 114C so that the plug 114C becomessusceptible to the pressure in the material 102 enough to blow out fromthe output 111C.

Alternatively, the plug 114A is a soft plug that is designed to blow outfirst (under presence of the blow-out pressure) and when the mold cavity113 surrounding the output 111A becomes filled, resistance is presentedback through the molding material 102 in the branch 110A so thatpressure becomes built up (within the conduit assembly 104) sufficientlyenough to blow out other plugs (such as the plug 114B and/or the plug114B).

The mold 112 includes a mold half 114 and a mold half 116. The mold half116 is connected to the runner 100, and the runner 100 is connected to astationary platen 160. The mold half 114 is connected to a movableplaten 162. A platen-stroking actuator (not depicted) is used to movethe platen 162 relative to the platen 160 between a mold-opened positionand a mold-closed position so that the mold halves 114, 116 may beopened and closed against each other. A clamping mechanism (notdepicted) is used to apply a clamping force and a mold-break force tothe mold 112. Since the platen-stroking actuator and the clampingmechanism are well known in the art of molding systems, therefore theywill not be described here in detail.

Preferably, the runner 100 does not include the molding system 108and/or the mold 110. Preferably, the material 102 includes a metalliccomponent and does not include a plastic-resin component. Preferably,the material 102 is a metallic-molding material such as an alloy ofmagnesium, etc. According to a variant of the first embodiment, therunner 100 is integrated into the molding system 108.

According to another variant of the first exemplary embodiment, theoutputs 111A, 111B, 111C each include respective nozzles (not depicted)that are configured to chronologically release the molding material 102into the mold 112. The nozzles are mechanical shut off mechanisms, andplugs 114A, 114B, 114C are not used. According to a variation, a mix andmatch of plugs and nozzles are used with the outputs 111A, 111B, 111C.

FIGS. 2A, 2B are a cross-sectional views of a metallic-molding-materialrunner system 200 (hereafter referred to as the runner” 200) accordingto the second exemplary embodiment. The runner 200 is depicted as primedand ready to distribute a molding material 206 (hereafter referred to asthe “material” 206) into a mold cavity 211 of a mold 210.

Briefly, the runner 200 includes a collection of branches 204, 207 thatis configured to substantially equilibrate flow of the material 206 froma molding system 208 into a mold 210. Preferably, the collection ofbranches 204, 207 is configured runner 200 to equilibrate flow of thematerial 206 so that the mold 210 may become substantially evenly filledwith the material 206 (in a substantially balanced manner) prior to anapplication of a pack-out pressure onto the material 206 received in themold 210, so that once the pack-out pressure is applied the moldingmaterial 206 held in the mold 210 may be substantially packed-out in asubstantially balanced way so as to reduce shrinkage-porosity defectsand/or flow defects at least in part. A technical effect of the runner200 is that pack-out problems and/or shrinkage-porosity defects and/orflow defects may be mitigated at least in part.

Advantageously, the runner 200 is arranged so that collection ofbranches 204, 207 is configured to equilibrate flow of themetallic-molding material 206 adjustably in situ, and the technicaleffect is that the runner 200 may be adjusted on the fly to suitsituational conditions as parts are molded, and the runner 200 may beadapted or modified or adjusted (with less effort) for use withdifferently-shaped molds.

Preferably, the collection of branches 204, 207 is configured to adaptflow rate of the material 206 from the molding system 208 into the mold210. The runner 200 includes a conduit assembly 202 that has branches204, 207 both of which lead into the mold cavity 211. The branches 204,207 pass the molding material 206 from the molding system 208 over tothe mold 210. Preferably, the runner 200 does not include the moldingsystem 208 and/or the mold 210. According to a variation, the runner 200includes the molding system 208. The molding system 208 prepares thematerial 206 that is to be then placed into the runner 200.

Preferably, the runner 200 also includes a flow reducer 220 that iscoupled to the branch 204. A flow reducer has not been placed in thebranch 207 so that flow of the molding material 206 through the branch207 is not reduced or inhibited; however, if desired, a flow reducer maybe placed in the branch 207. The flow reducer 220 is configured toselectively reduce flow of the molding material 206 through the branch204 and into the mold 210 prior to the mold 210 becoming filled with themolding material 206. The molding system 208 is connected to the conduitassembly 202 via a nozzle 209, which is partially depicted. The rate offlow in the branch 204 may be adjusted to suit the requirements of aspecific mold. According to a variant of the second exemplaryembodiment, the runner 200 is integrated or part of the molding system208.

The mold 210 includes a mold half 262 and a mold half 264. The mold half262 is connected to the runner 200. The runner 200 is connected to astationary platen 260. The mold half 264 is connected to a movableplaten 266. Platen-stroking actuators (not depicted) are used to movethe movable platen 266 relative to the stationary platen 260 between amold-opened position and a mold-closed position so that the mold halves262, 264 may be opened and closed against each other. A clampingmechanism (not depicted) is used to apply a clamping force and amold-break force to the mold 210. Since operation of the platen-strokingactuators and the clamping mechanism are well known in the art, theywill not be described in detail.

Preferably, the molding material 206 includes a metallic component, andmore preferably, the molding material 206 includes an alloy ofmagnesium, etc. Preferably, solidified plugs of magnesium alloy 270, 272are formed (that is, formed from the molding material that is located inbranches 204, 207 respectively at exit positions of the runner 200; theexits lead into the mold cavity 211 of the mold 210). Since the processof formation of the plugs 270, 272 is known in the art, therefore theformation process will not be described here. The exit positions arelocated at entrances (gates) that lead into the mold cavity 211. Themold 210 defines plug catchers 274, 276 for catching plugs 270, 272respectively once the plugs are ejected from the depicted positions inFIG. 2A upon filling the mold 210 with the molding material 206.

Preferably, the flow reducer 220 includes a heat-energy remover 222 thatis configured to couple to the branch 204 and to remove an amount ofheat energy from the branch 204. In response to the removal of theamount of heat energy from the branch 204, the molding-material 206(that is, the molding material located in the branch 204 and locatedproximate to the heat-energy remover 222) solidifies to form a patch ofsolidified molding material 230 (not depicted in FIG. 2A, but isdepicted in FIG. 2B). The patch of solidified molding material 230 ishereafter referred to as the “patch” 230. The patch 230 attaches to thebranch 204 and reduces flow of the molding material 206 through thebranch 204 and into the mold 210 prior to the mold 210 becoming filledwith the molding material 206. Preferably, the patch 230 is formed topartially block the flow of the molding material 206 through the branch204. According to a variant, the patch 230 may be formed to reduce theflow to a zero-flow condition (that is, no flow) of the molding material206 (before the mold 210 is filled) if this condition is required in theprocess of filling the mold 210.

Preferably, the flow reducer 220 also includes a cooling body 224. Thecooling body 224 is configured to pass a coolant proximate to the branch204. The coolant is used to remove an amount of heat energy from theportion of the branch 204 that is coupled to the flow reducer 220. Inresponse to the removal of the heat energy, the molding-material 206(that is located in the branch 204 and that is located proximate to theheat-energy remover 222) solidifies to form the patch 230.

Preferably, the flow reducer 220 includes a heater 226. The heater 226is positioned proximate to the flow reducer 220 (that is, positionedeither within the reducer 220 or outside of the reducer 220). The heater226 is used to counter balance the heat sinking effect introduced by thecooling body 224 so as to prevent the patch 230 from getting too large.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the runner 200 in which the runner200 is depicted distributing the molding material 206 into the mold 210.The molding system 208 has pressurized the molding material 206 in themanner as known in the art (and so this process will not be describedhere). As a result of pressurization, the molding material 206 issubjected to a plug blow-out pressure of sufficient strength that theplugs 270, 272 are depicted blown out from their formed positions intheir respective branches 204, 207 and displaced over into the plugcatchers 274, 276 respectively. Then, the molding material 206 flowsinto the mold cavity 211 of the mold 210. The flow reducer 220 isactuated to form the patch 230 either before the blow-out of the plugs270, 272 or after the blow-out of the plugs 270, 272 (but it ispreferred to form the patch 230 before the plugs are blown out). Theformed patch 230 restricts flow of the molding material 206 through thebranch 204 (at the place where the reducer 220 is coupled to the branch204) and into the mold 210. The amount of flow through branch 207 willbe greater than the amount of flow through the branch 204 such that themold 210 fills more quickly through the mold cavity 211 locatedproximate to the branch 207 in comparison to the mold cavity 211 that islocated proximate to the branch 204.

Once the mold cavity 211 of the mold 210 is filled, new plugs (notdepicted) will be formed in the exits of the branches 204, 207 that leadinto the mold 210 so that then the mold halves 262, 264 may be separatedapart from each other for subsequent removal of an part that was moldedin the mold cavity 211. Once the plugs are reformed, the patch 230 maybe melted by the heater 226 or may be permitted to persist forsubsequent use in the next injection cycle of the molding system 208 asmay be required.

According to a variant of the runner 200, a flow reducer is used witheach branch 204, 207 so that in response to the removal of heat energy,the molding-material 206 (that is located in the branches 204, 207, andlocated proximate to their flow reducers) solidifies to form respectivepatches (not depicted) of solidified molding material in each branch204, 207 respectively. The respective patches attach to their respectivebranches 204, 207 and reduce flow of the molding material 206 throughthe respective branches 204, 207 and into the mold 210 prior to the mold210 becoming filled with the molding material 206. The rate of flow ineach branch 204, 207 may be adjusted to suit the requirements of aspecific mold. Preferably, the respective patches are sized differentlyto bias flow of the molding material 206 into the mold 210 (as may berequired for a specific mold).

According to a variant of the second exemplary embodiment, the outputsof the branches 204, 207 each include respective nozzles (not depicted)that are configured to release the molding material 206 into the mold210. The nozzles are mechanical shut off mechanisms, and plugs 270, 272are not used. According to a variation, a mix and match of plugs andnozzles are used with the outputs of the branches 204, 207.

It will be appreciated that the first exemplary embodiment and thesecond exemplary embodiment may be used together or separately. Forexample, according to variation of the first exemplary embodiment, therunner 100 is configured so that the collection of branches (110A, 110B,110C) is configured to adapt flow rate of the metallic-molding material102 from the molding system 108 into the mold 112. For example,according to a variation of the second embodiment, the runner 200 isadapted so that the collection of branches 204, 207 is configured tochronologically release the metallic-molding material 206 from themolding system 208 into the mold 210.

The description of the exemplary embodiments provides examples of thepresent invention, and these examples do not limit the scope of thepresent invention. It is understood that the scope of the presentinvention is limited by the claims. The concepts described above may beadapted for specific conditions and/or functions, and may be furtherextended to a variety of other applications that are within the scope ofthe present invention. Having thus described the exemplary embodiments,it will be apparent that modifications and enhancements are possiblewithout departing from the concepts as described. Therefore, what is tobe protected by way of letters patent are limited only by the scope ofthe following claims:

1. A metallic-molding-material runner system, comprising: a conduitassembly having: a collection of branches configured to substantiallyequilibrate flow of a metallic-molding material from a molding systeminto a mold, wherein the collection of branches is configured to adaptflow rate of the metallic-molding material from the molding system intothe mold, the collection of branches configured to pass themetallic-molding material from the molding system over to the mold; aflow reducer configured to reduce flow of the metallic-molding materialthrough a branch of the collection of branches and into the mold priorto the mold becoming entirely filled with the metallic-molding material;and a heat-energy remover configured to remove an amount of heat energyfrom the branch, and in response the metallic molding material, locatedin the branch and proximate to the heat-energy remover, solidifies toform a patch of solidified metallic-molding material attaching to thebranch and reducing flow of the metallic-molding material through thebranch and into the mold prior to the mold becoming filled with themetallic-molding material.
 2. The metallic-molding-material runnersystem of claim 1, wherein the collection of branches is configured toadjust, in situ, flow of the metallic-molding material.
 3. Themetallic-molding-material runner system of claim 1, wherein thecollection of branches is configured to substantially evenly fill themold with the metallic-molding material prior to an application of apack-out pressure onto the metallic-molding material received in themold, so that once the pack-out pressure is applied the metallic-moldingmaterial held in the mold is substantially packed-out in a substantiallybalanced way so as to reduce shrinkage-porosity defects and/or flowdefects at least in part.
 4. The metallic-molding-material runner systemof claim 1, wherein the collection of branches is configured tochronologically release the metallic-molding material from the moldingsystem into the mold.
 5. The metallic-molding-material runner system ofclaim 4, wherein the collection of branches is configured to adapt flowrate of the metallic-molding material from the molding system into themold.
 6. The metallic-molding-material runner system of claim 4, whereinthe conduit assembly defines an input configured to receive themetallic-molding material from the molding system, the conduit assemblyhaving the collection of branches configured to convey themetallic-molding material from the input over to outputs, the outputsconfigured to chronologically release the metallic-molding material fromthe collection of branches into the mold.
 7. Themetallic-molding-material runner system of claim 6, wherein the outputsare configured to form respective plugs, the respective plugs areconfigured to blow out from the outputs.
 8. Themetallic-molding-material runner system of claim 6, wherein the outputseach include respective nozzles configured to chronologically releasethe metallic-molding material into the mold.
 9. (canceled)
 10. Themetallic-molding-material runner system of claim 1, wherein thecollection of branches is configured to chronologically release themetallic-molding material from the molding system into the mold. 11.(canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. The metallic-molding-material runnersystem of claim 1, further comprising: a cooling body configured to passa coolant proximate to the branch, the coolant configured to remove anamount of heat energy from the branch, and in response themetallic-molding-material, located in the branch and proximate to theheat-energy remover, solidifies to form a patch of solidified moldingmaterial attaching to the branch and reducing flow of themetallic-molding material through the branch and into the mold prior tothe mold becoming filled with the metallic-molding material.
 14. Themetallic-molding-material runner system of claim 1, further comprising:a heater configured to counter balance the effect of the heat-energyremover.
 15. A molding system, comprising: a metallic-molding-materialrunner system, including: a conduit assembly having: a collection ofbranches configured to substantially equilibrate flow of ametallic-molding material from a molding system into a mold, wherein thecollection of branches is configured to adapt flow rate of themetallic-molding material from the molding system into the mold, thecollection of branches configured to pass the metallic-molding materialfrom the molding system over to the mold; a flow reducer configured toreduce flow of the metallic-molding material through a branch of thecollection of branches and into the mold prior to the mold becomingentirely filled with the metallic-molding material; and a heat-energyremover configured to remove an amount of heat energy from the branch,and in response the metallic molding material, located in the branch andproximate to the heat-energy remover, solidifies to form a patch ofsolidified metallic-molding material attaching to the branch andreducing flow of the metallic-molding material through the branch andinto the mold prior to the mold becoming filled with themetallic-molding material.
 16. The molding system of claim 15, whereinthe collection of branches is configured to adjust, in situ, flow of themetallic-molding material.
 17. The molding system of claim 15, whereinthe collection of branches is configured to substantially evenly fillthe mold with the metallic-molding material prior to an application of apack-out pressure onto the metallic-molding material received in themold, so that once the pack-out pressure is applied the metallic-moldingmaterial held in the mold is substantially packed-out in a substantiallybalanced way so as to reduce shrinkage-porosity defects and/or flowdefects at least in part, and the collection of branches is configuredto equilibrates flow of the metallic-molding material so that the moldbecomes substantially evenly filled with the metallic-molding materialprior to an application of a pack-out pressure onto the metallic-moldingmaterial received in the mold, so that once the pack-out pressure isapplied the metallic-molding material held in the mold is substantiallypacked-out in a substantially balanced way so as to reduceshrinkage-porosity defects and/or flow defects at least in part.
 18. Themolding system of claim 15, wherein the collection of branches isconfigured to chronologically release the metallic-molding material fromthe molding system into the mold.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The molding systemof claim 15, wherein the conduit assembly defines an input configured toreceive the metallic-molding material from the molding system, theconduit assembly having the collection of branches configured to conveythe metallic-molding material from the input over to outputs, theoutputs configured to chronologically release the metallic-moldingmaterial from the collection of branches into the mold.
 21. The moldingsystem of claim 20, wherein the outputs are configured to formrespective plugs, the respective plugs are configured to blow out fromthe outputs.
 22. The molding system of claim 20, wherein the outputseach include respective nozzles configured to chronologically releasethe metallic-molding material into the mold.
 23. (canceled)
 24. Themolding system of claim 15, wherein the collection of branches isconfigured to chronologically release the metallic-molding material fromthe molding system into the mold.
 25. (canceled)
 26. (canceled)
 27. Themolding system of claim 15, further comprising: a cooling bodyconfigured to pass a coolant proximate to the branch, the coolantconfigured to remove heat energy from the branch, and in response themetallic-molding-material, located in the branch and proximate to theheat-energy remover, solidifies to form a patch of solidifiedmetallic-molding material attaching to the branch and reducing flow ofthe metallic-molding material through the branch and into the mold priorto the mold becoming filled with the metallic-molding material.
 28. Themolding system of claim 15, further comprising: a heater configured tocounter balance the effect of the heat-energy remover.
 29. A method of ametallic-molding-material runner system, the method comprising:substantially equilibrating flow of a metallic-molding material througha collection of branches from a molding system into a mold.
 30. Themethod of claim 29, further comprising: adjusting, in situ, flow of themetallic-molding material through the collection of branches.
 31. Themethod of claim 29, further comprising: substantially evenly filling themold with the metallic-molding material prior to an application of apack-out pressure onto the material received in the mold, so that oncethe pack-out pressure is applied the molding material held in the moldis substantially packed-out in a substantially balanced way so as toreduce shrinkage-porosity defects and/or flow defects at least in part.32. The method of claim 29, further comprising: chronologicallyreleasing the metallic-molding material through the collection ofbranches from the molding system into the mold.
 33. The method of claim32, further comprising: adapting flow rate of the metallic-moldingmaterial through the collection of branches from the molding system intothe mold.
 34. The method of claim 32, further comprising: receiving themetallic-molding material from the molding system through an inputdefined by a conduit assembly: conveying the metallic-molding materialfrom the input through the branches of the conduit assembly over tooutputs; and chronologically releasing the molding material from theoutputs of the branches into the mold.
 35. The method of claim 32,further comprising: forming respective plugs in the outputs; and blowingout the respective plugs from the outputs.
 36. The method of claim 32,further comprising: chronologically releasing the molding material intothe mold from respective nozzles of the outputs.
 37. The method of claim29, further comprising: adapting flow rate of the metallic-moldingmaterial through the collection of branches from the molding system intothe mold.
 38. The method of claim 37, further-comprising:chronologically releasing the metallic-molding material through thecollection of branches from the molding system into the mold.
 39. Themethod of claim 37, further comprising: passing the metallic-moldingmaterial through the collection of branches of a conduit assembly fromthe molding system over to the mold; and reducing flow of themetallic-molding material through a branch of the collection of branchesand into the mold prior to the mold becoming entirely filled with themetallic-molding material.
 40. The method of claim 37, furthercomprising: removing an amount of heat energy from the branch, and inresponse the molding-material, solidifies to form a patch of solidifiedmolding material attaching to the branch and reducing flow of themetallic-molding material through the branch and into the mold prior tothe mold becoming filled with the metallic-molding material.
 41. Ametallic-molding-material runner system, comprising: a conduit assemblyhaving: a collection of branches configured to pass the metallic-moldingmaterial from the molding system over to the mold; and a heat-energyremover configured to remove heat from a portion of a selected branch ofthe collection of branches, and in response the metallic moldingmaterial, located in the portion of the branch proximate to theheat-energy remover, solidifies to form a patch of solidifiedmetallic-molding material that attaches to the branch, the patch ofsolidified metallic-molding material reducing flow of themetallic-molding material through the branch thereby substantiallyequilibrating flow of the metallic-molding material from the moldingsystem into the mold through the collection of branches.
 42. A moldingsystem, comprising: a metallic-molding-material runner system,including: a conduit assembly having; a collection of branchesconfigured to pass the metallic-molding material from the molding systemover to the mold; and a heat-energy remover configured to remove heatfrom a portion of a selected branch of the collection of branches, andin response the metallic molding material, located in the portion of thebranch proximate to the heat-energy remover, solidifies to form a patchof solidified metallic-molding material that attaches to the branch, thepatch of solidified metallic-molding material reducing flow of themetallic-molding material through the branch thereby substantiallyequilibrating flow of the metallic-molding material from the moldingsystem into the mold through the collection of branches.